Buffalo Bills notebook

Buffalo Bills owner Ralph C. Wilson Jr. was released from the hospital Tuesday and is home doing well after his brief hospital stay, the team said."He is home and resting comfortably," Bills senior vice president of communications Scott Berchtold reported Wednesday.Wilson, 93, was admitted to a Detroit-area hospital last week with what was believed to be an infection. He lives in the Detroit suburb of Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich.Bills coach Chan Gailey said he expected to talk to Wilson soon in advance of the team's season opener Sunday against the New York Jets."We talked before he went in the hospital and then I haven't talked to him since he got home yesterday," Gailey told reporters. "We haven't talked yet. I'm sure we'll talk sometime soon though."The Bills had said Wilson was listed in good condition throughout his stay, which the team acknowledged on Thursday. Wilson, the Bills' founder, is in his 53rd season overseeing the Bills. Wilson and Tennessee owner Bud Adams are the two longest tenured owners in the NFL. ...The Bills' players selected six team captains, two each on offense, defense and special teams. They are: quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, running back Fred Jackson, defensive tackle Kyle Williams, safety George Wilson, punter Brian Moorman and fullback Corey McIntyre. Moorman is Buffalo's longest-serving captain at seven years. Wilson is a defensive captain for the first time. He has been a special-teams captain in the past. Fitzpatrick and Jackson are in their second seasons as captains. Each player will have a "C" affixed to his uniform. Their responsibilities will include assisting in the on-field communication with the game officials....The Bills are in good health entering the game.Right tackle Erik Pears, who played only briefly in one of the four preseason games, practiced fully and isn't even listed on the injury report. Neither is cornerback Terrence McGee, coming back from offseason knee surgery. McGee practiced fully.The only Bill sitting out practice was guard Kraig Urbik due to a sore back. But Urbik said he is fine and will practice today.Wildcat quarterback and receiver Brad Smith (groin) practiced on a limited basis. "We'll hopefully get him on the field a little bit more tomorrow and a little bit more Friday and hopefully we'll have him Sunday," Gailey said, adding if Smith can't go, the Bills won't use the Wildcat formation....The Bills reported receiver Stevie Johnson was limited in practice due to a sore groin, but he declared himself ready to go.Johnson repeated his assessment that his groin, surgically repaired in the spring, is about 90 percent healthy. However, he said it feels far better than it did last season."I only say 90 because I don't think nobody's really 100 percent, unless you haven't played at all," he said. "But I'm good."...Jets starting nose tackle Sione Pouha looks like the most prominent New York player in jeopardy of missing the game. Pouha, a 325-pounder, has not practiced since the first week of training camp due to a sore lower back. He was listed as limited Wednesday. The Jets' dangerous tight end, Dustin Keller, did not practice due to a sore hamstring. Keller told reporters he expects to play but he acknowledged missing a lot of practice time has been a hindrance. Jets backup safety Eric Smith didn't practice due to a sore hip. He's questionable. Another 11 Jets were listed as limited or full participants on the injury report, but all are expected to play. ...Gailey said Tyler Thigpen will serve as the No. 2 quarterback, with Tarvaris Jackson as No. 3. ... The Jets worked out two players released by the Bills on Friday, receiver Derek Hagan and punter Shawn Powell. Neither has been signed. ... Bills running back Tashard Choice changed his number to 20. He had been wearing 29. email: mgaughan@buffnews.com